had become governess to the emperor's daughters in August 1856. None of his dalliances impinged upon the Emperor's public life, and he successfully managed to keep his extramarital affairs from becoming common knowledge to any but a very few. None of his mistresses were ever allowed to rise to the position of a favourite. He only allowed himself to become close to those men and women who had shown no inclination for seeking influence or advancement, and he continued to act with some reserve even to these few. Throughout his life, the Emperor held onto a hope of finding a soulmate, something he felt cheated of due to the necessity of a marriage of state to a woman for whom he never felt passion. This is but one instance illustrating the Emperor's dual identity: who on one hand was "Dom Pedro II" who assiduously carried out his duty in the role of Emperor which destiny had assigned to him, and who on the other hand was "Pedro de Alcântara" who considered the Imperial office an unrewarding burden and who was happier in the worlds of literature and science. Pedro II was what would today be termed a workaholic, and his routine was demanding. He usually woke up at 7 am and did not sleep before 2:00 in the morning. His entire day was devoted to the affairs of state and the meager free time available was spent reading and studying. The Emperor went about his daily routine dressed in a simple black tail coat, trousers, and cravat. For special occasions he would wear court dress, and he only appeared in full regalia (that is with crown, mantle, scepter, etc.) twice each year at the opening and closing of the National Assembly. Pedro II was credited with being impartial, honest and ethical. Moreover, he was seen as holding politicians and government officials to the strict standards which he exemplified. The Emperor demanded politicians work at least an eight-hour day and adopted a strict policy for the selection of civil servants based on morality and merit. To set the standard, he lived simply. Balls and assemblies of the Court ceased after 1852. He also refused to request or allow the amount of his civil list to be raised from 1840, when it represented 3% of the government expenditures, until 1889, when it had fallen to 0.5%. He refused luxury, once explaining: "I